The Loudoun Planning Commission Manifesto Continues On…

Last week, I mentioned about the Planning Commission manifesto that is taking place in Loudoun County. Well, I have decided to follow up with that post, and yes, there is more to this than what meets the eye.

Today, I would like to focus on an e-mail that was sent on June 25, 2009 from Sandra Chaloux, Dulles Planning Commissioner to the Catoctin Planning Commissioner that indicates her absence from a board meeting.

From:
To:
Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 05:59:38 -0400
Subject: TONIGHT’S PC WORK SESSION
Erin,

I don’t think I am going to go to the PC CTP work session tonight. No quorum tonight probably means no CTP PC public hearing in July.

Sandra

Now, why would Ms. Chaloux decide to abruptly announce her absence? Could it be that she was angered by the previous Planning Commission meeting, where a previous motion that she had made to delay the July hearing was denied? Whatever the reasoning behind Ms. Chaloux’s abrupt absence, there is indication that this particular hearing had no quorum due to an e-mail that was sent to several Planning Commission members urging them not to show up for a hearing that was to begin adopting a draft recommendation. According to Leesburg Today, the Planning Commission was scheduled to meet three times a week, along with Saturday mornings to review the Countywide Transportation Plan. The Board of Supervisors set a deadline to have the Planning Commission’s revised plan by September.

In the meantime, I guess we will see what happens on July 21, when the Board of Supervisors takes up the scheduling issues. However, I am still asking, is it ethical or right for a county employee to be absent from their appointed duties and still receive compensation?